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Hamilton happy with 2012 despite Brazil retirement

Despite retiring from the final race of the season, Lewis Hamilton was happy with his season. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton insists that he ended his difficult 2012 season on a high, despite retiring from the lead in Brazil when he was hit by a spinning Nico Hulkenberg.

Hamilton also retired while leading in Singapore and Abu Dhabi during a frustrating final third of the season.

“I think I still ended up on a high,” said Hamilton. “I won the last race; I got pole position here; I was leading the race. The team was competitive and they obviously got a win. And congratulations to Jenson, and also to Sebastian. I’m happy, I’m quite chilled.

“In myself I feel comfortable to go away in the winter. I feel like I did a good job, I gave it everything, and I couldn’t really have done any more.”

Meanwhile Hamilton made clear his frustration with Hulkenberg. He also said that he would have preferred to stay out during the first shower, as did teammate Jenson Button, rather than stop for intermediates.

“It was a team choice, probably the wrong choice. I was struggling anyway so it didn’t really make a huge difference, and I was very fortunate that the safety car came out.

“After that I had no problems, and I got onto the lead. Hulkenberg was real quick, that car was obviously very good, it just needs to have more consistent drivers, I would say.

“I can’t really say much about it, really. It was a silly situation to be in. I was on the outside, I left plenty of room and he just came straight into me.

“That’s what happens when you’re racing with the less-experienced drivers.”

Hamilton cannot start work for his new employer Mercedes until 2013. “At the moment it’s not until the first of January, unfortunately, but if Martin [Whitmarsh] is nice enough to let me go a bit earlier, then who knows?”